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The Caravan Sites Act, 1968, restricts the eviction from caravan sites of occupiers
of caravans and makes other provision for the benefit of such occupiers. Part II of
the Act which is to come into operation on a day to be appointed by the Minister,
provides for the establishment by local authorities of sites for the use of gypsies and
other persons of nomadic habit, and controls in certain areas the unauthorised
occupation of land by such persons.
In the borough there is one privately owned licensed residential caravan site
accommodating twenty caravans. In addition there are licensed sites for sixteen
caravans at nurseries for the use of employees.
The Council own a further site which is to be closed down. The occupiers are
being offered housing accommodation by the Council, and several have been
rehoused. At the end of the year fourteen caravans remained on this site which, being
in the Green Belt, will be left as open land.
The problem of itinerant caravan dwellers necessitated 437 visits by the public
health inspectors.
Gypsies and itinerants who moved into the borough were formerly dealt with
by procedure under the provisions of the North-West London (General Powers)
Act, 1965. To effect the speedy removal of caravans from roadside verges and waste
land, use was made of the Magistrates' Courts Act, 1952, whereby a warrant for
arrest of the offenders was obtained and the person brought to Court and usually
fined. This resulted in early and effective action being taken to prevent a build-up
of caravans. However, the Criminal Justice Act, 1967, precluded warrants being
issued for other than indictable offences. The Court, having regard to the new
legislation, decided that use of the Magistrates' Courts Act, 1952, was not appropriate
and inspectors had to revert to the previous lengthy procedure.
In the early months of the year twelve gypsy vans moved on to vacant land
under the control of the Greater London Council in Eastern Enfield. Protracted
negotiations and finally forcible eviction eventually secured the removal of these
gypsy vans from the site. They then moved on to land owned by this Council and
were again forcibly removed.
In May, a number of these gypsies entered land in Turkey Street. This land, the
property of the Council, was due for redevelopment in August; and, attempts to
negotiate with the gypsies failing to produce satisfactory results, the Council decided
to seek an injunction on the grounds of tresspass.
Meanwhile, summonses had been served on some of the persons occupying the
land, and in due time three men appeared in the magistrates' court and were fined,
two others being fined in their absence. During this period, too, the gypsies had
enlisted local support and had also obtained the backing of the Gypsy Council.
Demonstrations took place. Later, a deputation was received by the Borough Council.
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